November 2020
oncept Monthly
Newsletter
I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n C a t h o l i c C h u rc h FR. DENNIS MCNEIL OFFERS UNIQUE
FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES P U T T I N G FA I T H I N T O A C T I O N A N D S H O W I N G W H AT I S P O S S I B L E
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Fr. Dennis McNeil honors the saints with this collection of pewter statues in his office.
ven with all of the changes brought forth this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is one reliable constant — the opportunity to engage in continuing faith formation, growing closer to God as we learn more about and reflect upon the beauty of our Catholic faith. Fr. Dennis McNeil’s popular programs, “Lives of the Saints” and “Movies With McNeil,” have been underway since September in the John Paul II room, and are slated to continue through May 2021. These free programs offer a unique approach to continuing faith formation. The “Lives of the Saints” programs are held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the
first Wednesday of each month, while “Movies With McNeil” are held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Registration is not required. “There is enough room to spread around with masks,” Fr. McNeil says. Fr. McNeil has always been devoted to the saints, thanks to the book Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, which his mother read with him daily. “We read it all the time,” he says. “There were wonderful woodcut drawings. I’ve always been fond of the saints. Each month with ‘Lives of the Saints,’ we have a different topic, such as the mystics, and American continued on page 2
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Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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CHURCH
FR. DENNIS MCNEIL OFFERS UNIQUE
FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES continued from front cover
saints and blesseds. People have questions and each session is a different topic. If anyone wants to suggest a topic, I’m open to that, as well.” Fr. McNeil has an impressive reminder of the saints in a collection of pewter saint statues in his office. “I tell people if they want to know about the saints, I also have a database of 15,000 entries,” he says. “I think it’s important to know the saints. We’re all called to be saints as Catholics and Christians.” During the “Lives of the Saints” sessions, Fr. McNeil emphasizes the idea that no matter our circumstances, we can become saints. “A lot of the stories about saints are that they are very ordinary people who still respond extraordinarily,” Fr. McNeil says. “Take The Song of Bernadette, that she was just a young girl with no formal education, but she was the one chosen to be the visionary.” The “Movies With McNeil” sessions offer films that explore different aspects of our faith. In December, Fr. McNeil will show Come to the Stable, with Loretta Young and Celeste Holm. It depicts the true story of two French nuns who come to a small New England town to build a children’s hospital. Some of the movies theatrical releases and others are for religious education purposes, obtained from EWTN sources or Ignatius Press. Fr. McNeil will loan the films to anyone interested — he has about 200 in his collection. “With the movies, the idea is putting faith into action,” he says. “For example, I showed the movie Seven Days in Utopia, about a professional golfer who has a meltdown and ends up in a small town. He learns how to play golf again and how to respond to
his difficulties, and has a reconciliation with his dad. The idea of putting faith into action helps people to reflect and show what is possible — ‘I can live the Gospel message in my situation.’”
Fr. Dennis McNeil has a collection of at least 200 movies that offer topics that help us build our faith. Anyone wishing to borrow one is welcome to do so.
Anyone with questions about either session may contact Fr. McNeil, our Parochial Vicar, at 330-388-5828.
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A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
“What’s in It
For Us”
MAY SURPRISE YOU Dear Parishioners,
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ou already know that our parish is committed to living as intentional disciples of Christ through the holistic practice of stewardship. What you may not know is that one of our inspirations and mentors is the late Msgr. Thomas McGread of the Diocese of Wichita. Who was Msgr. McGread? Msgr. McGread was a humble, servant priest who created a model for how stewardship should be practiced — both here and in many Catholic parishes across the country. What began simply with Msgr. McGread applying his stewardship principles at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita — where he served as pastor for 31 years — has become a way of life for our parish family and for Catholics around the nation. With such an incredible blueprint from this visionary priest, how could we go wrong? We have truly embraced stewardship here at Immaculate Conception, and for that, I am blessed and grateful. From the beginning, however, the question “What’s in it for us?” had to be on our minds as our efforts to educate parishioners and promote the stewardship way of life were introduced. At first, “What’s in it for us?” seemed to center on what people were willing to do to give back to God as part of practicing their faith and living as disciples of Jesus Christ. While this is important, there is so much more to it. The truth is, “What’s in it for us?” is really about “What’s in it for you?” “What’s in it for you?” perhaps is best explained as one simple principle — cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. When Christ calls us to discipleship, He is also calling us to be faithful stewards of our time, talent and treasure. Our gratitude for these gifts is best expressed through giving a portion of each back to God. Thus, stewardship
becomes a way of life that is also the way to holiness. Our relationship with Christ is what we get in return. Our efforts as a parish to promote the spiritual benefits of active stewardship are designed to foster a deeper relationship with God for all of us. Membership in a parish family should encourage, support, and celebrate that relationship with the living God, first and foremost. Everything else flows from that. If we are not focused on our relationship with God, then what will define our spirituality? If we have embraced the blessings of stewardship as a practical way of being the disciples we are called to be, we will in turn know a deeper relationship with Christ. We celebrate Thanksgiving this month, which truly is a stewardship holiday since stewardship begins with an attitude of gratitude. I am truly thankful for all that is done here at Immaculate Conception, and for the many parishioners willing to do so much. In closing, let me share one final thought to help you realize the gift that our parish is to each and every one of us. Be grateful for all you have. Be generous in giving something back to God. Be faithful stewards, and you will have done both. That is what’s in it for you, and in turn, that is what’s in it for us! And don’t forget — God has been doing this for centuries. We’re just the latest and most fortunate recipients. Happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and your family. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Michael Troha
Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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MEET
Deacon John Nelson EMBRACING A DIVINE CALLING
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n Aug. 29 at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Cleveland, the Most Reverend Martin J. Amos, Bishop-Emeritus of Davenport, ordained John Nelson to the diaconate, along with two other men. The story of how John unearthed the gem of his calling to the diaconate is inspiring, testifying to the capacious mercy of God, so alive in the world today. “About 15 to 20 years ago, my pastor gave an incredible homily about what God is calling you to be in life,” John says. “As he spoke, it felt like the Holy Spirit was calling me that very day, and it built a fire up inside of me.” Ultimately, his vocation story also shows us just how patient Our Lord really is, and how He makes His will known to each one of us in truly creative ways. “However, it took me a long time to do something about this call,” John says. “In 2014, I went to a men’s retreat, and about three different times during it people told me I’d be a great deacon, but I just told them I didn’t think so. Following the retreat, I became more involved in my parish, but I never did do much about the idea of being a deacon. Then my wife, Raquel, asked me if I
Deacon John Nelson celebrates his ordination to the diaconate with his family.
had given any more consideration to ‘the deacon thing.’ I wanted to ask her, ‘Did someone pay you to say this to me? Because that’s what the men at the retreat just said!’” Soon afterward, John decided to go for “the deacon thing” after all, right along with Raquel at his side. He officially entered the diaconate formation program in 2015. “We have picked up our cross and carried hand in hand all these years,” John says. “It has been such a wonderful journey! Every year, the diocese asks our wives to sign a letter saying they are supportive
of us being in diaconate formation. The bishop also tells them at our ordination that there is ‘no way your husband could do this without you.’” Throughout his years of formation, John enjoyed taking courses at the Center for Pastoral Leadership, as well as catching glimpses of what life as a deacon would be like. “We are truly blessed in the Diocese of Cleveland by having such amazing professors at our diocesan seminary, and I really appreciated being able to learn from them,” John says. continued on page 5
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DEACON JOHN NELSON “I also really enjoyed my field assignments. Each year we would be placed at a different parish to help us gain experience. Wherever I was placed, the people made me feel very welcome and they treated me like they had known me my whole life. It has been so great to get to know new people and develop friendships. The guys I went through formation with are like brothers to me. They have made me a better person.” After years of diligent preparation, John now approaches his calling to the diaconate with a hopeful, fervent spirit. “I am just blown away that God called me to this!” John says. “Many don’t feel worthy to be called, and yet they are. I just hope that I can live up to the expectations that the Church has for me, and minister to others the way I am meant to do so.”
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“I am just blown away that God called me to this! — Deacon John Nelson John looks forward to serving our parish community as well. “I am eager to get to know the parishioners at Immaculate Conception,” he says. “Even though I’m not very good at
learning names, I want to learn everyone’s! I also want to visit the various ministries and really be part of the parish community.” As he approaches his newfound vocation, John bears a deep charity for Mother Church and her people in his heart. “Throughout my formation, I learned that a deacon’s primary calling is to serve those around him,” he says. “I read a book called I Am Third, and it really inspired me. It is all about how God is supposed to come first in your life, then others, and thirdly, yourself.” Raquel and John have been married for 29 years. They have three adult children, all of whom are married, three granddaughters, and one grandson on the way. John has been in IT Management for 20 years and is still working full-time at Cleveland Clinic.
If you would like more information about the diaconate, please contact Deacon David Kushner at 216-696-6525.
Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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Living Out Gratitude and Stewardship, DURING THANKSGIVING AND BEYOND
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very November, as the holiday season fast approaches, we are filled with a deep sense of sentimentality and gratefulness for all of our blessings. At the same time, we encounter many wonderful ways to give — to cheerfully share our own gifts — during this time of Thanksgiving. It is with this spirit of gratitude that we can truly live out the stewardship way of life. This Thanksgiving, there are plenty of opportunities to do this in a direct way. Is there a family member or friend you haven’t spoken to for a long time, or someone who might be spending the holiday alone? Drop them an email, pick up the phone and call, or even catch up with them via Zoom or FaceTime — even virtually, such connections at this time are essential! Perhaps you may volunteer at a soup kitchen, or you might donate a Thanksgiving meal to a family in need who wouldn’t have one otherwise. For Black Friday, make it a point the next day to donate old clothes that you or your family members no longer need. And as the winter draws closer, you might participate in — or
even organize — a coat drive, and then go out into the community to give the coats away to homeless shelters and those in need during the winter months. There are countless such opportunities to live in gratitude and thanksgiving — opportunities that go beyond just having a meal at home. Of course, we must remember that this spirit of thanksgiving does not end after Thanksgiving, nor does it end following Advent and Christmas. We must always consider how to give, even as the glow of the holiday season fades after the New Year. In January, if there is abundance in your closet, give away from that abundance. In February, if there are volunteers needed at the soup kitchen, give of your time. We need a renewed spirit of stewardship and thanksgiving that lasts the whole year so that our giving becomes habitual, and not just seasonal. This Thanksgiving, ask the Holy Spirit where He is calling you to give. And may the joy of the Thanksgiving season flow into our lives as good stewards, every day and throughout the entire year.
OF COURSE, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING DOES NOT END AFTER THANKSGIVING, NOR DOES IT END FOLLOWING ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS. WE MUST ALWAYS CONSIDER HOW TO GIVE, EVEN AS THE GLOW OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON FADES AFTER THE NEW YEAR. IN JANUARY, IF THERE IS ABUNDANCE IN YOUR CLOSET, GIVE AWAY FROM THAT ABUNDANCE. IN FEBRUARY, IF THERE ARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT THE SOUP KITCHEN, GIVE OF YOUR TIME. WE NEED A RENEWED SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP AND THANKSGIVING THAT LASTS THE WHOLE YEAR SO THAT OUR GIVING BECOMES HABITUAL, AND NOT JUST SEASONAL.
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Christmas Giving Tree an Opportunity to Bless Others
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or many, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring plenty of excitement — it’s a time for being with family and sharing delicious food and gifts. But for others, there is not enough money for gifts. It may even be hard to put food on the table. “It is not humanly possible to take care of all needs of any one individual or family, but we can do something to ease suffering, even for one day, for just about anyone we encounter,” says St. Vincent de Paul Volunteer Sue Penicka. The Immaculate Conception St. Vincent de Paul Society, or SVdP, works year-round to ease the suffering for those throughout Willoughby. At Christmastime, parishioners have a special opportunity to assist in that good work through the Giving Tree, which is placed in the southwest vestibule. The Giving Tree is decorated with ornaments that list gift ideas for children in need. Parishioners then select what items they wish to purchase, and the wrapped gifts are returned to the church and placed under the tree. The gifts are distributed within 10 days of Christmas. The ornaments also include ideas for the adults in the home, like gift cards or personal care items. Immaculate Conception usually provides gifts for 15-20 Willoughby families in need. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Giving Tree will be set up a week earlier, over the weekend of Nov. 7-8, so there is less crowding when choosing ornaments. Sue notes that while more families are in need this year, many of those in need have more resources this year because of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and exceptions. Sue says there is no more important time than Christmas to help those in need. Showing Christ’s love to those in need is the main goal of the SVdP Society. “The vocation of the Society’s all-lay membership is to follow Christ through service to those in need
Presents surround the 2019 Christmas Giving Tree.
and to bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love,” Sue says. “My faith and my love for serving the poor has grown substantially in no small part because of SVdP Society at Immaculate Conception.” As Christians, we must not ignore the needs of those around us — especially the needs of children, says Sue. “Children did not choose the circumstances into which they were born,” she says. “We can provide continued on back cover
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Christmas Giving Tree things to them to make them aware that God loves them and has not forgotten them, no matter what their circumstance in life.” Christmas gifts are commonplace to most of us. So, let’s not forget those for whom a happy and exciting Christmas is not common. Sue says our parish has provided so much support in the past — we should make this year just like any other, or even better. “Immaculate Conception parishioners are extremely generous, and it would not be possible to do anything to help those less fortunate if it were not for the generosity all year round,” Sue says. “Thank you to all parishioners for living their faith and being faithful witnesses to the goodness of God.”
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Please watch for the Giving Tree to be set up on the weekend of Nov. 7-8. The tree will be taken down Dec. 13. The St. Vincent de Paul Society needs support all year. There is always a need for gift cards, specifically for gasoline at Speedway and food at Dollar General or Dollar Tree. Gift cards to Giant Eagle also help with food and gasoline. For more information on getting involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, please call 440-942-4500, ext. 107 or 440-375-1548. Voicemails will be promptly returned.